Health-related quality of life after major extremity trauma: qualitative research with military service members and clinicians to inform measurement of patient-reported outcomes

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand health-related quality of life (HRQOL) factors for adults who experience major extremity trauma, including limb preservation and amputation, to guide the selection and creation of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. Methods: A thematic content qualitative analysis was used to study service members (SMs) with a history of major extremity trauma and clinical providers with expertise in limb trauma, limb loss, and limb preservation/reconstruction. Focus groups were conducted at three Military Treatment Facilities and one Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Results: Fifty-six SMs and 34 clinicians participated. Thirty-six percent of focus group comments were coded under Physical Health, 31% Emotional Health, and 28% Social Participation. These results were largely consistent across clinicians and SMs, and clinical subgroups, with a few exceptions such as the relevance of fine motor tasks and prosthetic devices for SMs with upper extremity injury/limb loss, and orthotic devices for SMs with limb preservation/reconstruction. Conclusion: Many HRQOL topics identified are shared with existing general PRO measures—including pain, physical function, anxiety, depression, anger, positive affect and well-being, fatigue, social participation, and loneliness—as well as rehabilitation-focused PRO measures—such as resilience, grief/loss, stigma, self-esteem, mobility, fine motor functioning, self-care, and independence. This qualitative research can be used to inform domains of HRQOL in need of new PRO measures for this population, including satisfaction with orthosis/prosthesis, satisfaction with physical abilities/athleticism, body image, future outlook, and vocational impact.

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Risk of incident mild cognitive impairment and dementia soon after leaving incarceration among a US Veteran population

    Abstract: Objectives: Increasing numbers of older adults are reentering community following incarceration (i.e., reentry), yet risk of incident neurodegenerative disorders associated with reentry is unknown. Our objective was to determine association between reentry status (reentry vs never-incarcerated) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and/or dementia. Methods: This nationwide, longitudinal cohort study used linked Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Veterans Health Administration data. Participants were aged 65 years or older who experienced reentry between October 1, 2012, and December 31, 2018, with no preincarceration MCI/dementia, compared with age-matched/sex-matched never-incarcerated veterans. MCI/dementia was defined by diagnostic codes. Fine-Gray proportional hazards models were used to examine association. Results: This study included 35,520 veterans, mean age of 70 years, and approximately 1% women. The reentry group (N = 5,920) had higher incidence of MCI/dementia compared with the never-incarcerated group (N = 29,600; 10.2% vs 7.2%; fully adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.12; 95% CI 1.00-1.25). On further investigation, reentry was associated with increased risk of dementia with or without prior MCI diagnosis (aHR 1.21; 95% CI 1.06-1.39) but not MCI only. Discussion: Transition from incarceration to community increased risk of neurocognitive diagnosis. Findings indicate health/social services to identify and address significant cognitive deficits on late-life reentry. Limitations include generalizability to nonveterans.